Winter Operations Update - Wednesday, February 12
The following is information was sent by Roads and Parking Services at the City to Members of Council regarding forecasted inclement weather conditions.
This information was provided to my office at 9:01am on February 12.
A major winter storm is on the horizon and non-essential travel during this time should be avoided. Anyone who must travel during this event is asked to plan ahead and to give themselves extra travel time.
Environment Canada has issued a Winter Storm Warning, and effective immediately, the City of Ottawa is declaring a Significant Weather Event that will remain in effect until further notice.
A Significant Weather Event has been declared
A Significant Weather Event (SWE) is declared when Environment Canada issues a Weather Hazard when weather that is either occurring or approaching has the potential to pose significant danger to users of Ottawa’s transportation network.
The intent of declaring a SWE is to notify the public that because of the forecast and/or current weather conditions, it will take longer than usual to restore the transportation network to expected conditions and that caution is to be exercised when using sidewalks, roads, and the winter cycling network.
For more information about the Significant Weather Events program, please visit Ottawa.ca.
Forecast and Conditions
Snow is expected to start this evening and intensify overnight with the heaviest snow expected to fall Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Peak snowfall rates are expected to exceed 5 centimetres per hour with 30 to 40 centimetres forecasted before gradually tapering off on Thursday afternoon. Winds will be up to 30 kilometres per hour, gusting to 50, causing blowing and drifting snow in open areas.
Travel should be avoided as rapidly accumulating snow will make conditions on the transportation network difficult to navigate and road closures are possible.
Our Response
The Roads and Parking Services team is ready! Once accumulation begins, all resources will be deployed and crews will focus on treating and clearing sidewalks, priority roads, bus routes, the Transitway and the winter cycling network. Our Parks Maintenance partners will also be out in full force, clearing City facility parking lots (with a priority on Fire and Paramedic stations) as well as lots serving recreation centres.
By declaring a Significant Weather Event, we know that we will not be meeting our winter maintenance timeline objectives, and snow clearing and treating operations will take longer than usual. Accumulation on our network will be heavy and wet and our sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network will be covered with snow. This is not your typical storm, and we anticipate that multiple passes will be required to clear and treat these conditions. Given the amount of snow expected, some residents may find it challenging to get out of their communities until crews have been able to clear the residential sidewalks and streets.
Some areas of the region will experience significant blowing and drifting snow, which makes it difficult for operators to navigate. Please be patient, as it will take time to get through the transportation network, but rest assured, they will be hard at work.
Back-to-back daytime parking bans are being called
There will be two back-to-back Winter Weather Parking Bans called. The first will be in effect from 10 am to 7 pm on Thursday, February 13 and the second will be in effect from 10 am to 7 pm on Friday, February 14. These two back-to-back winter weather parking bans are essential for the support of our operations. Should the forecast shift and underperform, the second ban may be called off.
During this time, all vehicles must be removed from the roadway - unless you have an eligible parking permit or are accessing parking in our exempted commercial main streets. Though eligible parking permit holders are exempt, we encourage those who can, please try to find alternate parking during this time to prevent your vehicle from being snowed in. The City of Ottawa has several parking lots available for residents to park during a parking ban. Vehicles may remain parked at these sites for the duration of the ban and must be removed after the City announces that the ban has been lifted. Information on all parking options during a winter weather parking ban is available on Ottawa.ca/winterparking.
Residents can stay in the know about our winter weather parking bans by signing up for e-alerts at Ottawa.ca, or by downloading the City of Ottawa app.
Resident Support is Needed
Safety is a priority for our team, and we will be out in full force working to keep Ottawa’s sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network treated and clear. Conditions will be hazardous and non-essential travel should be avoided. For those who must travel, please give yourself extra time and adjust to the conditions of the transportation network.
Flashing blue lights means we are hard at work. If you see a sidewalk plow approaching, please step aside into an open driveway. Always remember to stay at least 3 car lengths behind our vehicles – please never pass our vehicles.
There is no need to create a service request for routine snow clearing. We are on the job and our efforts are currently needed out in the community; service requests should only be created for emergencies.
Please place garbage, recycling, and organic collection bins in your driveway and not on the road or sidewalks. Residents can sign up to receive reminders and service alerts for their waste collection day by email or phone call at ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar or can download the Ottawa Collection Calendar mobile app for Apple and Android devices to confirm their collection day
During the period of time when the winter weather parking ban is not in effect, you can support our operations by finding off-street parking options. If you can, please ask a friend or neighbour to share their laneway. When vehicles are removed from our streets, the Roads and Parking Services team can clear snow efficiently to create a wide-open roadway.
Are you ready? To help ensure your safety and the safety of your family, now is a good time prepare your emergency kit.
Next Steps
Roads and Parking Services will continue to monitor the forecast and transportation network this evening and overnight.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as crews navigate these very challenging weather conditions. Support from our residents is crucial as we respond to this event.
I am committed to keeping you informed as we respond to this event and will provide another update tomorrow morning.
Until then, please stay safe.
FAQs and More Information
These quality standards apply during most winter weather events. However, this is not the case during a declared Significant Weather Event. The intent of declaring a SWE is to notify the public that because of the forecast and/or current weather conditions, it will take longer than usual to restore the transportation network to expected conditions and that caution is to be exercised when using sidewalks, roads, and the winter cycling network.
How are pathways maintained? Why are some pathways not winter-maintained?
This is a topic that I have addressed in greater detail here: Snow Clearing and Pathway Maintenance — Ward 21 (Rideau-Jock)
How should I report an issue?
There is no need to create a service request for routine snow clearing. Winter road maintenance staff are on the job and their efforts are currently needed out in the community; service requests should only be created for emergencies.
Once a winter weather event has passed, should you become aware of an issue on the City-maintained transportation network, submit a service request by calling 3-1-1 or online here.
It is important to note that during a storm when the snow is still falling, during a declared Significant Weather Event, or prior to the maintenance quality standards timelines being exceeded as per the graphic above, reports to 3-1-1 do not lead to quicker action. In particular, during a Significant Weather Event, all available resources will be deployed, and residents are asked to refrain from calling 3-1-1 or creating a service request for anything other than an emergency so that City staff can better address the most pressing issues.
If you are having trouble contacting or receiving assistance from the City, my office can assist with reporting issues identified by residents. My office is best reached by email at ward21@ottawa.ca.
Please note that roads and sidewalks are maintained to the quality standards that are outlined above; I do not have the power to direct plow drivers in their operations or routes.
Can I check whether a winter parking ban is in effect?
Information regarding winter parking bans, including whether such a ban is in effect, is available here: Winter parking | City of Ottawa
What is happening with buses and transit?
OC Transpo is implementing a Severe Storm Schedule for buses beginning Thursday, February 13, due to the current severe winter storm forecast for Ottawa. The Severe Storm Schedule does not apply to O-Train service, which will run on a normal schedule.
Learn more: Severe Storm Schedule
Where can I get more information?
Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on updates from Environment Canada for up-to-date information on the storm as it progresses.
During a winter storm, please visit Ottawa.ca/winter for the most up-to-date information from the City.